C-135 Stratolifter

The C-135 Stratolifter is a transport aircraft derived from Boeing’s prototype 367-80 jet airliner (also the basis for the 707) in the early 1950s. Since the first one was built in August 1956, the C-135 has been a visible fixture of the U.S. Air Force.

Boeing C-135 Stratolifter
KC-135s at twilight on the tarmac
Type	transport
Manufacturer	Boeing
Maiden flight	August 17, 1956
Introduced	June 1957
Status	Active service
Primary user	United States Air Force
Produced	1954-1965
Unit cost	US$39.6 million (FY98 constant dollars)
Developed from	Boeing 367-80
Variants	KC-135 Stratotanker EC-135 Looking Glass RC-135 Rivet Joint C-137 Stratoliner

History

A large majority of the 820 units were developed as KC-135A Stratotankers for mid-air refueling, however, they have also performed numerous transport and special-duty functions. Forty-five base-model aircraft were built as C-135A or C-135B transports with the tanking equipment excluded.

Fifteen C-135As, powered by J57 turbojets, were built. In later years, almost all were upgraded with TF33 turbofan engines and wide-span tail planes, and were re-designated C-135E. Thirty C-135Bs were built with the TF33 turbofans and wide-span tail planes from the start, and a small number remain in service in their original form. The C-135C designation applies to three WC-135B weather reconnaissance aircraft, which reverted to transport status. Most of the other C-135Bs were converted to various special mission variants following their service with the Military Airlift Command.

Although most of the remaining C-135 aircraft are used for transporting senior military leaders and other high-ranking dignitaries, the C-135C communications aircraft serves as an aerial test-bed for emerging technologies. Developmental tests using this aircraft have demonstrated the capability to fly precision approaches using a local area differential GPS system. This modified C-135 has been fitted with a millimeter wave camera and a radome to test the camera’s generation of video images of the forward scene in low-visibility conditions. The aircraft, which in the VIP transport role seats 14 passengers, gives the Joint Forces Air Component commander a limited ability to plan and control the simulated battle while in the air en route to the crisis area.

Variants

• EC-135 Looking Glass
• EC-135E Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft - ARIA
• KC-135 Stratotanker
• OC-135 Open Skies
• RC-135 Rivet Joint
• WC-135 Constant Phoenix

Specifications (C-135)

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General characteristics

• Crew: 3: pilot, copilot, boom operator (4 for non-PACER CRAG aircraft)
• Length: 136 ft 3 in (41.53 m)
• Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in (39.88 m)
• Height: 41 ft 8 in (12.70 m)
• Wing area: 2,433 ft² (226 m²)
• Empty weight: 98,466 lb (44,663 kg)
• Loaded weight: 297,000 lb (135,000 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lb (146,000 kg)
• Powerplant: 4× (R/T) CFM International CFM-56 turbofan engines, 21,634 lbf (96 kN) each}
• Powerplant: 4× (E) Pratt & Whitney TF-33-PW-102 turbofan engines , 18,000 lbf (80 kN) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 580 mph (933 km/h)
• Range: 3,450 mi (5,550 km)
• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,200 m)
• Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min (1,490 m/min)